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Penang : Malaysia

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Malaysia Destinations

Penang Travel Guide

Penang in Malaysia is world famous travel destination for international tourists. Penang is known for its food, tropical beaches, historical monuments and cultural heritage. Discussed in this guide Penang Travel is when to travel to Penang and the must see things in Penang. Penang is also often called the Pearl of the Orient. It used to be the oldest British settlement in Malaysia predating Melaka. In 1786 Captain Francis Light took possession of the island. Today it is probably the most famous island of the country. It is not only known for its beach resorts, but for its colonial heritage you can especially witness in the Georgetown, the biggest city of the island. Many visitors coming down from Thailand head for Penang first before they continue their trip to places like Torridonian Highlands, Kuala Lumpur or Melaka. Many people living in Thailand come to get a new visa at the local Thai consulate.

Penang is much more influenced by the Chinese part of the Malaysian population than any other place. You will notice a large number of Chinese people. What is rather more impressive to the foreign visitor is the mix of churches, Chinese temples and Indian temples sometimes only a few hundred metres away from each other. Also there are a number of interesting other sights to be found in Georgetown and beyond. The famous author Somerset Maugham is known to have stayed on the island and spun tales about the romance of the white planter in South-East Asia.

Most visitor will either stay in Georgetown or in one of the beach resorts outside the city (See accommodation section). The most popular are Tanjung Bungah and Batu Ferringhi (Foreigner’s rock). If you are looking for really clean and unspoiled beach Penang might not be the right place, but it is still very nice and the whole atmosphere is really relaxed.

Penang Attractions
Acheen Street Mosque, Lebuh Acheen
Balik Pulau
Batu Maung Fishing Village
Botanical Gardens
Bukit Jambul Orchid and Hibiscus Garden
Butterfly Farm, Teluk Bahang
China Town
City Hall, Esplanade
Clock Tower, Pesara King Edward
Dharmikarama Burmese Temple, Lorong Burma
Fort Cornwallis, Lebuh Light
Goddess of Mercy Temple, Jalan Kapitan Keling
Kampung Seronok, Batu Maung
Kapitan Keling Mosque, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling
Kek Lok Si Temple, Air Itam
Khoo Kongsi, Lebuh Cannon
Komtar, Jalan Penang
Nagore Shrine, Lebuh King
P. Ramlee’s House
Penang Bird Park, Seberang Jaya
Penang Bridge
Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera)
Penang Museum and Art Gallery Lubus Farquhar
Penang’s Famed Beaches
Pinang Cultural Center
Snake Temple
Sri Mariamman Temple, Lebuh Queen
St George’s Church, Lebuh Farquhar
State Mosque, Jalan Masjid Negeri
University of Science Malaysia’s (USM) Museum and Art Gallery, Minden
Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram, Lorong Burma

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